#608: 2012, Jake Bugg, Trouble Town

by George_East on January 21, 2013

This is a post by Jackie South which was originally posted on 7 January 2013 but which was lost from the site during our recent difficulties. It is not clear whether the post is complete and unfortunately all comments on the post and any graphics originally posted have been lost.

To see if I can convince George’s internal jury, I’m posting his first single, Trouble Town. George and I have frequently moaned that this recession has not produced the musical legacy of that of the early Thatcher years.

This is a song that tries to reflect the grim realities of the decade, but its use of early Sixties folky guitar and song give it a timeless quality: this could almost be off The Times They Are A-Changin’. Surely it’s opening two verses are among the best lyrics of the year:

Stuck in speed bump city

Where the only thing that’s prettyIs the thought of getting out.

There’s a tower block overhead

All you’ve got’s your benefits And you’re barely scraping by.

Then there is the change in tune halfway through about the threat of the heavy collecting debts: